Control method, control device, and program

ABSTRACT

A method of controlling multiple imaging devices includes wirelessly communicating with the imaging devices, and displaying identifiers corresponding to each of the plurality of imaging devices, on the basis of the communication.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/952,785, filed Nov. 19, 2020, with is acontinuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/532,351,filed Jun. 1, 2017, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,958,804 Mar. 23,2021, which is a 371 Nationalization of PCT/JP2015/005537, filed Nov. 4,2015 and claims priority of Japanese Priority Patent Application JP2014-261005 filed Dec. 24, 2014, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a control method, a control device,and a program.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, products applying communication technology to imaging devicesare becoming commonly available. The operation of such an imaging devicemay be controlled through communication from an external informationprocessing device or the like.

For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique related to asystem that controls the operation of multiple imaging devices throughcommunication using a remote control, and displays images obtained fromeach of the multiple imaging devices on a display unit provided on theremote control.

Also, Patent Literature 2 discloses a technique related to a system inwhich a monitor and multiple imaging devices are connected throughcommunication, and in which images transmitted from each of the multipleimaging devices are displayed on the monitor.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

[PTL 1]

-   JP 2001-326845A

[PTL 2]

-   JP 2012-119846A

SUMMARY Technical Problem

However, with the technique disclosed in Patent Literature 1, thedisplayed image is switched as a result of the user selecting one fromamong the multiple imaging devices, and control being switched to theselected imaging device. For this reason, it is time-consuming for theuser to perceive all images related to the multiple imaging devices.

On the other hand, with the technique disclosed in Patent Literature 2,a list of images to be acquired is displayed on the monitor, but imagesare transmitted and received via a pre-established network. For thisreason, flexibility of communication format is impaired in some cases.

Accordingly, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a new andimproved control method, control device, and program capable of enablinga user to easily perceive the images corresponding to each of multipleconnected imaging devices, while also retaining flexibility in theformat of communication with the imaging devices.

Solution to Problem

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provideda control method including: wirelessly communicating with a plurality ofimaging devices; and displaying identifiers corresponding respectivelyto the plurality of imaging devices, on the basis of the communication

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided a control device including: a communication unit thatwirelessly communicates with each of a plurality of imaging devices; anda controller that displays a list of identifiers correspondingrespectively to the plurality of imaging devices, on the basis of thecommunication.

According to still another embodiment of the present disclosure, thereis provided a program causing a computing device to: switch between amultiple-unit control mode and a single-unit control mode, when in themultiple-unit control mode: display identifiers correspondingrespectively to a plurality of imaging devices, and in response to agiven user input, control a given operation of each of the plurality ofimaging device via wireless communication connections; and when in thesingle-unit control mode: display an identifier corresponding to aselected one of the plurality of imaging devices, and in response to thegiven user input, control the given operation of the selected one of theplurality of imaging devices and not the others of the plurality ofimaging devices.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to one or more of embodiments of the present disclosure asdescribed above, there is provided a control method, control device, andprogram capable of enabling a user to easily perceive the imagescorresponding to each of multiple connected imaging devices, while alsoretaining flexibility in the format of communication with the imagingdevices. Note that the above advantageous effects are not strictlylimiting, and that any advantageous effect indicated in the presentdisclosure or another advantageous effect that may be reasoned from thepresent disclosure may also be exhibited in addition to, or instead of,the above advantageous effects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a control deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic functionalconfiguration of a control device and an imaging device according to afirst embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart that conceptually illustrates a summary of overallprocessing on a control device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a process of configuring acommunication connection with an imaging device on a control deviceaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a process of changing a communicationmode on a control device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating screen transitions related to a processof activating a control app on a control device according to anembodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an operation of configuring acommunication mode on an imaging device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a process of connecting to an imagingdevice on a control device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an imaging device listscreen displayed on a control device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a single-view screendisplayed on a control device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a multi-view screendisplayed on a control device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 12A is a diagram illustrating an example of a display format of oneor two display sets on a control device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 12B is a diagram illustrating an example of a display format of oneor two display sets on a control device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 12C is a diagram illustrating an example of a display format of oneor two display sets on a control device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 13A is a diagram illustrating an example of a display format ofthree or four display sets on a control device according to anembodiment.

FIG. 13B is a diagram illustrating an example of a display format ofthree or four display sets on a control device according to anembodiment.

FIG. 13C is a diagram illustrating an example of a display format ofthree or four display sets on a control device according to anembodiment.

FIG. 14A is a diagram illustrating an example of a display format offive or six display sets on a control device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 14B is a diagram illustrating an example of a display format offive or six display sets on a control device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 14C is a diagram illustrating an example of a display format offive or six display sets on a control device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 15A is a diagram illustrating an example of a display format ofseven to nine display sets on a control device according to anembodiment.

FIG. 15B is a diagram illustrating an example of a display format of tento twelve display sets on a control device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process of switching asingle-view screen by going through a multi-view screen on a controldevice according to an embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process of switching asingle-view screen by going through an imaging device list screen on acontrol device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining a shooting process on a single-viewscreen displayed by a control device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining a shooting process on a multi-viewscreen displayed by a control device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining a process of deciding the content ofan instruction related to image recording to an imaging device on acontrol device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of configurationinformation for image preview and saving according to a firstmodification of an embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining an example of an operation oftransmitting a settings instruction to an imaging device on asingle-view screen of a control device according to a secondmodification of an embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining an example of an operation oftransmitting a settings instruction to an imaging device on a multi-viewscreen of a control device according to a second modification of anembodiment.

FIG. 24A is a diagram for explaining an example of a display indicatingthat a performed operation is unsupported on a control device accordingto a third modification of an embodiment.

FIG. 24B is a diagram for explaining an example of a display indicatingthat a performed operation is unsupported on a control device accordingto a third modification of an embodiment.

FIG. 24C is a diagram for explaining an example of a display indicatingthat a performed operation is unsupported on a control device accordingto a third modification of an embodiment.

FIG. 24D is a diagram for explaining an example of a display indicatingthat a performed operation is unsupported on a control device accordingto a third modification of an embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart that conceptually illustrates a summary ofoverall processing by a control device according to a second embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 26A is a diagram for explaining a display control process when anew communication connection with an imaging device is made on a controldevice according to an embodiment.

FIG. 26B is a diagram for explaining a display control process when anew communication connection with an imaging device is made on a controldevice according to an embodiment.

FIG. 26C is a diagram for explaining a display control process when anew communication connection with an imaging device is made on a controldevice according to an embodiment.

FIG. 26D is a diagram for explaining a display control process when anew communication connection with an imaging device is made on a controldevice according to an embodiment.

FIG. 27A is a diagram for explaining a display control process whencommunication with an imaging device is disconnected on a control deviceaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 27B is a diagram for explaining a display control process whencommunication with an imaging device is disconnected on a control deviceaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 27C is a diagram for explaining a display control process whencommunication with an imaging device is disconnected on a control deviceaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a diagram for explaining a display control process whencommunication with an imaging device is disconnected on a control deviceaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display related to anongoing error on a single-view screen of a control device according to amodification of an embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display related to anongoing error on a multi-view screen of a control device according to amodification of an embodiment.

FIG. 31A is a diagram illustrating an example of a display related to anisolated error on a single-view screen of a control device according toa modification of an embodiment.

FIG. 31B is a diagram illustrating an example of a display related to anisolated error on a single-view screen of a control device according toa modification of an embodiment.

FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display related to anisolated error on a multi-view screen of a control device according to amodification of an embodiment.

FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a hardware configurationof a control device according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed in detail with reference to the appended drawings. Note that,in this specification and the appended drawings, structural elementsthat have substantially the same function and structure are denoted withthe same reference numerals, and repeated explanation of thesestructural elements is omitted.

Hereinafter, the description will proceed in the following order.

-   1. Overview of control device according to embodiment of present    disclosure-   2. First embodiment (operational control based on user operation)-   3. Second embodiment (operational control based on status change in    imaging device)-   4. Hardware configuration of control device according to embodiment    of present disclosure-   5. Conclusion

1. OVERVIEW OF CONTROL DEVICE ACCORDING TO EMBODIMENT OF PRESENTDISCLOSURE

First, an overview of a control device according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 1 . FIG. 1is a diagram for explaining an overview of a control device according toan embodiment of the present disclosure.

The control device 100 is a portable mobile communication terminalcarried by a user, and includes a function like an access point (AP)that receives a connection from another device via wirelesscommunication. The control device 100 is also equipped with a displayunit that displays images. For this reason, the control device 100 iscapable of acquiring images from each of multiple imaging devices 200via wireless communication, and displaying the acquired images on thedisplay unit.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1 , the control device 100 isconnected via wireless communication to each of imaging devices 200A to200C, and causes the display unit to display images acquired from theimaging device 200A, for example. Note that the chain-line arrowsillustrated in FIG. 1 indicate the transmission of connection requests,images, and the like from each of the imaging devices 200A to 200C.

At this point, a device which is connected to multiple imaging devicesand which displays images obtained from each of the multiple imagingdevices generally switches the displayed image by switching theconnected imaging device 200. For this reason, it is time-consuming forthe user to perceive all images related to the multiple imaging devices200.

On the other hand, there exists a device that displays on a monitor orthe like a list of images acquired from each of multiple imaging devices200, but with such a device, images are generally transmitted andreceived via a pre-established network, such as wired communication, forexample. For this reason, flexibility with respect to changing thecommunication format is impaired in some cases. For example, there maybe a cost and time associated with changing the connected imaging deviceor changing the communication pathway.

Accordingly, the control device 100 according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure is connected to multiple imaging devices via wirelesscommunication, and communicates with the multiple imaging devices.Additionally, the control device 100 specifies each of the imagescorresponding to each of the multiple imaging devices by thecommunication, and lists the specified images.

For example, the control device 100 receives images via wirelesscommunication from each of the imaging devices 200A to 200C asillustrated in FIG. 1 , and displays each of the received images in alist on the display unit.

For this reason, the control device 100 is connected via wirelesscommunication to each of the multiple imaging devices 200, and each ofthe images acquired from each of the multiple imaging devices 200 isperceivably displayed at a glance.

Consequently, it is possible for the user to easily perceive the imagescorresponding to each of the multiple connected imaging devices 200,while also retaining flexibility in the format of communication with theimaging devices 200. Note that although FIG. 1 illustrates a smartphoneas an example of the control device 100, the control device 100 may alsobe mobile communication terminal such as a tablet, digital camera,portable game console, or personal digital assistant (PDA). Also, forthe sake of convenience, the control device 100 according to the firstand second embodiments will be distinguished by appending a numbercorresponding to the embodiment, such as the control device 100-1 andthe control device 100-2.

2. FIRST EMBODIMENT (OPERATIONAL CONTROL BASED ON USER OPERATION)

The above thus summarizes a control device 100 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure. Next, a control device 100-1according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will bedescribed. The control device 100-1 lists the images specified bycommunication with each of the imaging devices 200, and conductscentralized operational control based on user operations with respect toeach of the imaging devices 200 corresponding to each of the listedimages.

<2-1. Device Configuration>

First, a configuration of the control device 100-1 according to thefirst embodiment of the present disclosure will be described withreference to FIG. 2 . FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematicfunctional configuration of the control device 100-1 and the imagingdevice 200 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

(Functional Configuration of Imaging Device)

As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the imaging device 200 is equipped with anoperation detector 202, a controller 204, storage 206, a communicationunit 208, and an imaging unit 210.

The operation detector 202 converts a user operation with respect to theimaging device 200 into input. Specifically, the operation detector 202generates input information according to an operation by the user, andprovides the generated input information to the controller 204. Forexample, the operation detector 202 detects a user operation on abutton-type or touchpad-type input device provided separately on theimaging device 200, or on a touch panel-type input device integratedwith a display unit.

The controller 204 controls the overall operation of the imaging device200. Specifically, the controller 204 controls communication by thecommunication unit 208, controls the status of the imaging device 200,and issues an imaging instruction to the imaging unit 210.

For example, when the input information provided from the operationdetector 202 indicates a connection request to connect to the controldevice 100-1, the controller 204 causes the communication unit 208 toestablish a communication connection with the control device 100-1.Also, the controller 204 causes the communication unit 208 to transmitimages obtained by imaging of the imaging unit 210 to the control device100-1. Also, when information indicating the specification of a shootingmode is received from the control device 100-1, the controller 204changes the shooting mode of the imaging device 200 to the specifiedshooting mode. Also, when information indicating to start or stoprecording is received from the control device 100-1, the controller 204instructs the imaging unit 210 to start or stop operating.

The storage 206 stores images obtained by imaging of the imaging unit210. Specifically, when an image is obtained by imaging of the imagingunit 210, the storage 206 stores the image on the basis of aninstruction from the controller 204. Note that an image transmitted tothe control device 100-1 by the communication unit 208 may be a copy ofan image stored in the storage 206 of the imaging device 200.

The communication unit 208 wirelessly communicates with the controldevice 100-1. Specifically, the communication unit 208, on the basis ofan instruction from the controller 204, establishes a communicationconnection by requesting the control device 100-1 for a connection usingwireless communication. For example, the communication unit 208 receivesoperation instruction information from the control device 100-1, andtransmits data such as images to the control device 100-1. Note that thecommunication unit 208 may wirelessly communicate with the controldevice 100-1 using a standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark),Bluetooth (registered trademark), or ZigBee (registered trademark).

The imaging unit 210 conducts imaging according to a shooting mode.Specifically, on the basis of an instruction and a shooting mode fromthe controller 204, the imaging unit 210 captures images consecutivelyto record a moving image, or captures a single image to record a stillimage. The shooting mode includes modes for recording a moving imagesuch as video shooting, interval shooting, loop recording, audiorecording, and continuous still image shooting (hereinafter also calledstill image (continuous)), and also includes a mode for recording astill image such as a single still image (hereinafter also called stillimage (normal)). For example, the imaging unit 210 may be equipped withan imaging optical system such as a photographic lens that condenseslight and a zoom lens, as well as a signal conversion sensor such as acharge-coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor(CMOS).

(Functional Configuration of Control Device)

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 2 , the control device 100-1 isequipped with a communication unit 102, a controller 104, storage 106, adisplay unit 108, and an operation detector 110. Note that part of thecontroller 104 may function as an application related to operationalcontrol of the imaging device 200 (hereinafter also called the controlapp).

The communication unit 102 wirelessly communicates with the imagingdevice 200. Specifically, the communication unit 102 establishes acommunication connection with the imaging device 200 by conducting aprocess according to the communication mode of the control app. Forexample, the communication mode may have two modes: a multi-connectionmode for communicating with multiple imaging devices 200, and asingle-connection mode for communicating with a single imaging device200.

When the communication mode is the multi-connection mode, thecommunication unit 102, acting as an AP, stands by until there is aconnection request from the imaging device 200, and establishes acommunication connection with the imaging device 200 only when aconnection request is received. Additionally, a communication connectionmay be established with one or multiple imaging devices 200. For thisreason, the communication unit 102 may establish a communicationconnection with each of five imaging devices 200, for example.

When the communication mode is the single-connection mode, thecommunication unit 102 transmits a communication connection to oneimaging device 200, and if a connection is allowed by the imaging device200, a communication connection with the imaging device 200 isestablished. For example, the communication unit 102 may use ashort-range communication unit, which is separately provided in thecontrol device 100-1 and which conducts short-range communication usingnear field communication (NFC) or the like, to conduct communication forthe purpose of a communication connection by the communication unit 102,and transmit a connection request after the communication unit 208 ofthe imaging device 200 is activated. Note that the communication unit102 may also transmit a connection request to the imaging device 200 onthe basis of some other event occurring, such as a connectioninstruction operation performed by the user with respect to thecommunication unit 102, for example.

The controller 104 controls the overall operation of the control device100-1. Specifically, the controller 104 controls communication by thecommunication unit 102 and controls the display on the display unit 108.More specifically, the controller 104, on the basis of communication bythe communication unit 102, specifies respective images corresponding tomultiple imaging devices 200, and causes the display unit 108 to listthe specified images. For example, the controller 104 provides thedisplay unit 108 with respective images received from each of themultiple imaging devices 200 by the communication unit 102, and thedisplay unit 108 lists the respective images in accordance with adisplay mode. For example, the display mode may have two modes: amulti-view mode in which images corresponding to the imaging device 200are listed, and a single-view mode in which one image from amongrespective images corresponding to the imaging device 200 is displayedindividually. Note that the displayed content in each display mode willbe later discussed in detail.

Furthermore, the controller 104 conducts operational control based onthe occurrence of an event related to the imaging devices 200 while inthe list display state. Specifically, the controller 104 conductsoperational control based on a user operation performed while in thelist display state with respect to each of the imaging devices 200corresponding to each of the listed images. For example, the controller104 controls the transmission of an operational instruction to theimaging devices 200 on the basis of the user operation.

The storage 106 stores images. Specifically, the storage 106 storesimages which are acquired from the imaging device 200 and displayed onthe display unit 108.

The display unit 108 displays images on the basis of an instruction fromthe controller 104. Specifically, the display unit 108 displays imagesreceived from the imaging device 200 by the communication unit 102 andimages acquired from the storage 106, in accordance with a display mode.For example, the display unit 108 may be a display device such as aliquid crystal display panel or an organic electroluminescence (EL)panel.

The operation detector 110 converts a user operation with respect to thecontrol device 100-1 into input. Specifically, the operation detector110 generates input information according to an operation by the user,and provides the generated input information to the controller 104. Forexample, the operation detector 110 detects a user operation on abutton-type or touchpad-type input device provided separately on thecontrol device 100-1, or on a touch panel-type input device integratedwith the display unit 108.

<2-2. Device Processing>

Next, processing by the control device 100-1 according to the presentembodiment will be described.

(Overall Process Flow)

First, the overall processing by the control device 100-1 will besummarized with reference to FIG. 3 . FIG. 3 is a flowchart thatconceptually illustrates a summary of overall processing by the controldevice 100-1 according to the present embodiment.

First, the control device 100-1 stands by until an applicationactivation operation is performed (step S302). Specifically, thecontroller 104 determines whether or not input information provided fromthe operation detector 110 indicates an activation operation of thecontrol app.

When the application activation operation is performed, the controldevice 100-1 determines whether or not the communication mode is themulti-connection mode (step S304). Specifically, when it is determinedthat the input information indicates an activation operation of thecontrol app, the controller 104 determines whether or not a settingcausing the communication configuration of the control device 100-1 toact as an AP, such as a tethering setting, for example, is turned on.

If the communication mode is determined to be the multi-connection mode,the control device 100-1 activates the application in multi-connectionmode (step S306). Specifically, when the tethering setting of thecontrol device 100-1 is determined to be on, the controller 104 conductsa process of activating the control app in multi-connection mode.

Next, the control device 100-1 displays images received from theconnected imaging device 200 (step S308). Specifically, if an imagingdevice 200 is connected, the controller 104 causes the display unit 108to display images received from that imaging device 200 by thecommunication unit 102, in accordance with the display mode.

Next, the control device 100-1 stands by until a user operation isperformed on a displayed image (step S310). Specifically, the controller104 determines whether or not input information provided from theoperation detector 110 indicates a user operation on a displayed image.

If a user operation is performed on a displayed image, the controldevice 100-1 determines whether or not the display mode is multi-viewmode (step S312). Specifically, if the input information is determinedto indicate an operational instruction operation for the imaging device,the controller 104 determines whether or not the display mode ismulti-view mode.

If the display mode is determined to be multi-view mode, the controldevice 100-1 issues an operational instruction to each of the imagingdevices 200 corresponding to the displayed images (step S314).Specifically, when the display mode is determined to be multi-view mode,the controller 104 transmits an instruction for operation correspondingto the user operation via the communication unit 102 to each of theimaging devices 200 corresponding to each of the displayed images.

Meanwhile, if the display mode is determined not to be multi-view mode,or in other words determined to be single-view mode, the control device100-1 transmits an operational instruction only to the imaging device200 corresponding to the displayed image (step S316). Specifically, whenthe display mode is determined to be single-view mode, the controller104 transmits an instruction for operation corresponding to the useroperation via the communication unit 102 only to the imaging device 200corresponding to the image being displayed on the display unit 108.

Next, the control device 100-1 determines whether or not an endoperation has been performed (step S318), and upon determining that anend operation has been performed, the process ends.

In step S304, if the communication mode is determined not to bemulti-connection mode, or in other words determined to besingle-connection mode, the control device 100-1 operates insingle-connection mode (step S320). Note that since the processing bythe control device 100-1 in single-connection mode is substantially thesame as the processing by a control device of the past, description willbe omitted herein.

Next, each process by the control device 100-1 according to the presentembodiment will be described in detail. Note that description will bereduced or omitted for processes that are substantially the same as theprocesses discussed above.

(Communication Mode Configuration Process)

First, a communication mode configuration process, which is conducted asa preliminary process to the processes described in the above overallprocessing flow, will be described with reference to FIG. 4 . FIG. 4 isa diagram for explaining a process of configuring a communicationconnection with the imaging device 200 by the control device 100-1according to the present embodiment.

First, the control device 100-1 activates the control app insingle-connection mode on the basis of a user operation, and makes acommunication connection with the imaging device 200. Specifically, whena control app activation operation is performed, and a setting causingthe communication configuration of the control device 100-1 to act as anAP is not configured, the controller 104 activates the control app insingle-connection mode. Subsequently, the controller 104 causes thecommunication unit 102 to make a communication connection with theimaging device 200. Note that a communication connection with theimaging device 200 may also be made before activating the control app.

Next, the control device 100-1 launches a multi-connection settingsscreen on a displayed single-connection mode operating screen.Specifically, after the control app is activated, the controller 104causes the display unit 108 to display a single-connection modeoperating screen. Subsequently, if an operation to transition to thesettings screen of the imaging device 200 is performed on thesingle-connection mode operating screen, the controller 104 causes thedisplay unit 108 to display the settings screen of the imaging device200. Next, if an operation to transition to a multi-connection settingsscreen is performed on the settings screen of the imaging device 200,the controller 104 causes the display unit 108 to display themulti-connection settings screen.

For example, the controller 104 causes the display unit 108 to display asingle-connection mode operating screen like the one illustrated in thediagram to the left on the upper row in FIG. 4 as a result of a screentransition caused by a user operation, or as a default screen afteractivation of the control app. Additionally, on the single-connectionmode operating screen, if a tap operation is performed on a graphicaluser interface (GUI) element related to the settings of the imagingdevice 200 like the one illustrated to the left on the upper row in FIG.4 , such as the icon 20, for example, the controller 104 causes thedisplay unit 108 to display a settings screen 50 of the imaging device200 like the one illustrated in the middle diagram on the upper row inFIG. 4 . Next, on the settings screen 50 of the imaging device 200, ifan operation is performed to select multi-connection settings from alist of configuration operations as illustrated in the middle diagram onthe upper row in FIG. 4 , the controller 104 causes the display unit 108to display a multi-connection settings screen 52 like the oneillustrated in the diagram to the right on the upper row in FIG. 4 .Note that the multi-connection settings screen 52 may displayconfiguration information for a multi-connection already registered inadvance, such as a Service Set Identifier (SSID) and an authenticationmethod.

Next, the control device 100-1, on the basis of a user operation on themulti-connection settings screen, configures settings related to amulti-connection with respect to the connected imaging devices 200.Specifically, if an operation for configuring settings on themulti-connection settings screen is performed, and multi-connectionsettings already have been registered, the controller 104 causes thedisplay unit 108 to display a confirmation screen regarding whether ornot to register new settings. Subsequently, if an operation forregistering new settings is performed on the confirmation screen, thecontroller 104 causes the display unit 108 to display an input screenfor inputting multi-connection settings information. Next, if anoperation confirming input on the input screen is performed, thecontroller 104 causes the display unit 108 to display a notificationscreen indicating the completion of multi-connection settings. Inaddition, the controller 104 also causes the storage 106 to store theconfigured settings input on the input screen. Note that for subsequentsessions, the configured settings stored in the storage 106 may be usedwhen making a communication connection.

For example, on the multi-connection settings screen 52, if a tapoperation is performed on the “Configure” display as illustrated in thediagram to the right on the upper row in FIG. 4 , and ifmulti-connection settings already have been registered, the controller104 causes the display unit 108 to display a confirmation screen 54regarding whether or not to register new settings like the oneillustrated in the diagram to the left on the lower row in FIG. 4 .Subsequently, if a tap operation is performed on the “Configure”displays on the confirmation screen 54, the controller 104 causes thedisplay unit 108 to display a multi-connection settings informationinput screen 56 like the one illustrated in the middle diagram on thelower row in FIG. 4 . For example, the input screen 56 may displayelements such as input forms for inputting an SSID and a password (PW),as well as a pull-down list for selecting an authentication method.Subsequently, if a tap operation is performed on the “Configure” displayon the input screen 56, the controller 104 causes the display unit 108to display a notification screen 58 indicating the completion ofmulti-connection settings.

Next, the control device 100-1, on the basis of a user operation,changes the communication mode to multi-connection mode, and activatesthe control app. For example, after changing to a setting causing thecommunication configuration of the control device 100-1 to act as an APon the basis of an operating system (OS) configuration operation by theuser, the controller 104 activates the control app on the basis of acontrol app activation operation subsequently performed by the user.

Note that the control device 100-1 may also change the communicationmode after activating the control app. A process of changing thecommunication mode after activating the control app will be describedwith reference to FIG. 5 . FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a processof changing a communication mode on the control device 100-1 accordingto the present embodiment.

First, the control device 100-1 activates the control app inmulti-connection mode, and launches a control app settings screen on thedisplayed screen. Specifically, when a control app activation operationis performed, and a setting causing the communication configuration ofthe control device 100-1 to act as an AP is configured, the controller104 activates the control app in multi-connection mode. Subsequently, onthe screen displayed in multi-connection mode, if an operation totransition to the control app settings screen is performed, thecontroller 104 causes the display unit 108 to display the control appsettings screen.

For example, after the control app is activated in multi-connectionmode, if a tap operation is performed on a control app settings icon 22on a standby screen which indicates that the control device 100-1 iswaiting for a connection from the imaging device 200 as illustrated inthe diagram to the left in FIG. 5 , the controller 104 causes thedisplay unit 108 to display a control app settings screen like the oneillustrated in the middle diagram in FIG. 5 .

Next, the control device 100-1 conducts a change of communication modeon the control app settings screen. Specifically, if an operationselecting the configuration mode setting is performed on the control appsettings screen, the controller 104 causes the display unit 108 todisplay a confirmation screen for changing the communication modesetting. If an operation indicating a change of the communication modesetting is performed on the confirmation screen, the controller 104causes the display unit 108 to display a screen for setting thecommunication configuration of the control device 100-1.

For example, on the control app settings screen, if a tap operation isperformed on the “Communication mode” display as illustrated in thediagram in the middle of FIG. 5 , the controller 104 causes the displayunit 108 to display a confirmation screen 60 for changing thecommunication mode setting like the one illustrated in the diagram tothe right in FIG. 5 . For example, the confirmation screen 60 forchanging the communication mode setting may display the currentcommunication mode, a procedure for changing the setting, and the like.Subsequently, if a tap operation is performed on the “Go to settingsscreen” display on the confirmation screen 60, the controller 104 causesthe display unit 108 to display a screen for setting the communicationconfiguration of the control device 100-1.

(Application Activation Process)

Next, a process of activating the control app will be described withreference to FIG. 6 . FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating screentransitions related to a process of activating the control app on thecontrol device 100-1 according to the present embodiment.

If a control app activation operation is performed, the control device100-1 controls the screen transition during activation of the controlapp according to the communication mode. Specifically, if a control appactivation operation is performed, first, the controller 104 causes thedisplay unit 108 to display a screen indicating that the control app isbeing activated. Next, if the communication mode is multi-connectionmode, the controller 104 causes the display unit 108 to display aconfirmation screen for changing the communication mode setting.Subsequently, if an operation for not changing the communication modesetting is performed on the confirmation screen, the controller 104causes the display unit 108 to display a standby screen indicating thatthe control device 100-1 is waiting for a connection from the imagingdevice 200.

For example, if a tap operation is performed on an icon like the oneillustrated in the diagram to the left in FIG. 6 , the controller 104causes the display unit 108 to display a screen on which the icon of thecontrol app is displayed, as illustrated in the diagram in the middle onthe upper row in FIG. 6 . Next, if the communication mode ismulti-connection mode, the controller 104 causes the display unit 108 todisplay a confirmation screen 60 for changing the communication modesetting like the one illustrated on the lower row in FIG. 6 .Subsequently, if a tap operation is performed on the “Go to settingsscreen” display on the confirmation screen 60, the controller 104 causesthe display unit 108 to display a standby screen indicating that thecontrol device 100-1 is waiting for a connection from the imaging device200 as illustrated in the diagram to the right on the upper row in FIG.6 . For example, the standby screen may display a communication modeicon 26 indicating multi-connection mode.

(Connection Process of Imaging Device)

Next, a process conducted when the imaging device 200 is connected afterthe control app is activated will be described with reference to FIGS. 7and 8 . FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an operation of configuring acommunication mode on the imaging device 200 according to the presentembodiment, while FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a connectionprocess of the imaging device 200 on the control device 100-1 accordingto the present embodiment.

First, the imaging device 200 changes the communication mode tomulti-connection mode on the basis of a user operation. Specifically, ifan operation for changing the communication mode setting is performed,the controller 204 changes the communication mode of the imaging device200 to the mode indicated by the operation for changing the setting.Additionally, if the changed communicated mode is multi-connection mode,the controller 204 causes the communication unit 208 to connect to thecontrol device 100-1.

For example, if the settings of the imaging device 200 are selected, thecontroller 204 causes a message indicating that the settings of theimaging device 200 have been selected to be displayed on a display unitseparately provided in the imaging device 200, as illustrated in the topdiagram in FIG. 7 . If a communication connection setting isadditionally selected, the controller 204 causes the communicationmethod to be displayed on the display unit, as illustrated in theupper-middle diagram in FIG. 7 . Next, if communication mode isselected, the controller 204 causes the display unit to display theselected communication mode, as illustrated in the lower-middle diagramin FIG. 7 . Note that if a connection with the control device 100-1 isbeing attempted or if a connection has been made, the controller 204 mayemphasize the display of the communication mode displayed on the displayunit, such as with a blinking display, for example.

Meanwhile, the control device 100-1 stands by until the imaging device200 is connected. Specifically, when no imaging devices 200 areconnected, the controller 104 causes the display of a screen indicatingthat the control device 100-1 is waiting for a connection from theimaging device 200.

Subsequently, if the imaging device 200 is connected, the control device100-1 displays a screen corresponding to the connected imaging device200. Specifically, if the imaging device 200 is connected, thecontroller 104 causes the display 108 to display a list screendisplaying a list of connected imaging devices 200. In addition, afterthe connection process of the imaging device 200 is completed, thecontroller 104 causes the display 108 to display an operating screen forthe imaging device 200.

For example, when the imaging device 200 is connected, the controller104 causes the display 108 to display a list screen on which respectiveinformation indicating connected imaging devices 200 is arrangedvertically and displayed, as illustrated in the middle diagram in FIG. 8. Furthermore, when a connecting imaging device 200 exists, thecontroller 104 overlays onto the list screen a screen 62 indicating thatthe imaging device 200 is currently conducting the connection process,as illustrated in the middle diagram in FIG. 8 . Subsequently, after theconnection process of the imaging device 200 is completed, thecontroller 104 causes the display 108 to display a single-view screen onwhich is displayed an image corresponding to the imaging device 200 thatwas connected first, for example.

Note that instead of the imaging device 200 that was connected first,the controller 104 may also select an imaging device 200 specified onthe basis of information related to the imaging device 200, such as thetype, attributes, connection count, or connection time of the imagingdevice 200, for example. Also, when multiple imaging devices 200 areconnected, or when multiple imaging devices 200 have already beenconnected, a multi-view screen may be displayed on the display 108instead of a single-view screen.

Next, screens displayed by the control device 100-1 will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 9 to 11 . The display screens include a listscreen on which a list of connected imaging devices 200 are displayed,and operating screens for operating connected imaging devices 200. Theoperating screens include a multi-view screen and a single-view screencorresponding to the display mode. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating anexample of an imaging device 200 list screen displayed on the controldevice 100-1 according to the present embodiment. Also, FIG. 10 is adiagram illustrating an example of a single-view screen displayed on thecontrol device 100-1 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 11 isa diagram illustrating an example of a multi-view screen displayed onthe control device 100-1 according to the present embodiment.

(Imaging Device List Screen)

On the imaging device 200 list screen, information indicating connectedimaging devices 200 is displayed in list format. The informationindicating a connected imaging devices 200 is referred to in theappended claims as an “identifier”. Additionally, as the informationindicating the imaging devices 200 (“identifiers”), an image indicatingthe type of imaging device 200 and information for identifying eachimaging device 200 are displayed. For example, on the imaging device 200list screen, as illustrated in FIG. 9 , respective informationindicating each of multiple connected imaging devices 200(“identifiers”) is arranged on individual lines and displayed. Note thatthe information indicating the imaging devices 200 may be sorted byorder of connection. Furthermore, as the information indicating theimaging devices 200 (“identifiers”), a type icon 28 indicating the typeof imaging device 200 and a character string indicating a name of theimaging device 200, such as a friendly name, for example, are displayedadjacent to each other. Note that the information indicating the imagingdevices 200 (“identifiers”) may also include an identification numberdiscussed later. In addition, also displayed on the list screen are animage related to an operation for transitioning to the control appsettings screen, such as the control app settings icon 22, for example,and an image indicating the currently configured communication mode,such as the communication mode icon 26, for example.

Note that the information related to the type and name of the imagingdevices 200 may be acquired via communication from the connected imagingdevices 200. Also, the types of imaging device 200 may be, for example,a compact digital camera, a single-lens reflex camera (A-mount), asingle-lens reflex camera (E-mount), a Handycam, a lens-style camera,and a snap camera. Also, the information indicating an imaging device200 (“identifiers”) may also be displayed in multiple columns and/ormultiple rows. Also, the information indicating an imaging device 200(“identifiers”) may also include an image acquired from the imagingdevice 200. For example, a reduced-scale image may be arranged anddisplayed beside the other information. In addition, any combination ofthe above-described information indicating an imaging device 200(“identifiers”) may be included in the displayed list screen. Thus, forexample, the identifiers in the list may include, among others: a symbolcorresponding to the imaging device 200 (e.g., type icon 28), a name ofthe imaging device 200, a number corresponding to the imaging device 200(e.g., an identification number), an image corresponding to the imagingdevice 200 (e.g., a reduced scale image acquired by the imaging device),or any combination of these.

(Single-View Screen)

On the single-view screen, information about one imaging device 200 fromamong multiple connected imaging devices 200 is displayed. Specifically,on the single-view screen, an image corresponding to the imaging device200 and an image indicating the status of the imaging device 200 aredisplayed. For example, on the single-view screen, as illustrated inFIG. 10 , an image 30 acquired from the imaging device 200 and ashooting mode icon 32 indicating the shooting mode of the imaging device200 are displayed. For example, the image 30 may be an image obtained byimaging of the imaging device 200 and received from the imaging device200 at a designated time interval, such as an electric eye (EE) image,for example.

Also displayed on the single-view screen is an image indicating theimaging device 200 from among the multiple connected imaging devices 200from which an image is being displayed. Specifically, on the single-viewscreen, a number assigned to each imaging device 200 in order ofconnection (hereinafter also called the identification number) isdisplayed. Note that instead of numerals, the identification number mayalso be other characters or signs having an order, such as Japanese kanacharacters or letters of the alphabet. For example, on the single-viewscreen, as illustrated in FIG. 10 , the identification number “1”assigned to the imaging device 200 is displayed adjacent to the shootingmode icon 32. Note that the number of connected imaging devices 200 isdisplayed adjacent to the identification number. For example, thedisplay “⅕” as illustrated in FIG. 10 indicates that there are fiveconnected imaging devices 200, and “1” is the identification number ofthe imaging device 200 corresponding to the displayed image.

Also, on the single-view screen, images related to operating the imagingdevice 200 are displayed. For example, on the single-view screen, asillustrated in FIG. 10 , an icon 20 related to the settings of theimaging device 200, a shooting mode setting icon 34 related to theshooting mode setting, and a recording operation icon 36 related to anoperation for instructing the imaging device 200 to record aredisplayed.

Note that all or part of the information indicating the imaging device200 may also be displayed on the single-view screen. For example, thefriendly name of the imaging device 200 corresponding to the imagedisplayed on the single-view screen may also be displayed.

(Multi-View Screen)

On the multi-view screen, information about each connected imagingdevice 200 is displayed. Specifically, on the multi-view screen, imagescorresponding to each of the connected imaging devices 200 aredisplayed. Furthermore, the controller 104 causes the display 108 todisplay, in association with each of the images, objects indicating thecorrespondence relationship between each of the listed images and eachof the imaging devices 200. Specifically, the controller 104 causes thedisplay 108 to display information indicating each of the imagingdevices 200 and images indicating the status of each of the imagingdevices 200.

For example, on the multi-view screen, as illustrated in FIG. 11 , foreach connected imaging device 200, an image 30 acquired from the imagingdevice 200, information indicating the imaging device 200, and theshooting mode icon 32 of the imaging device 200 are collected as asingle set (hereinafter also called a display set), and these displaysets are arranged and displayed. Herein, there exist many variations inthe display format of the display sets, such as the size, number, andarrangement, for example. Accordingly, the display format of the displaysets will be described with reference to FIGS. 12A to 15B. FIGS. 12A to15B are diagrams that each illustrate an example of the display formatof display sets on the control device 100-1 according to the presentembodiment. Note that FIGS. 12A to 15B illustrate examples thatpartially differ from the compositional layout of display sets discussedabove. For example, elements such as the identification number andfriendly name may be arranged below the image 30.

The controller 104 decides the display area of the display sets on thebasis of the number of display sets to display. Specifically, thecontroller 104 decides the number of display sets to display on thebasis of factors such as the number of connected imaging devices 200 ordisplay set display configuration information, and decides the displayarea of the display sets on the basis of the decided number to display,as well as the available area in which to display the display sets andthe orientation of the screen.

For example, when the number of display sets to display is one or two,the controller 104 decides, as the display area for one display set, arectangle whose length on one edge is half the length in the long-edgedirection of the display area 40 of the multi-view screen, and whoselength on an edge orthogonal to the one edge is half the length in theshort-edge direction of the display area 40 of the multi-view screen, asillustrated in FIG. 12A. Also, the controller 104 specifies the screenorientation, and when the specified screen orientation is a referencedirection of the screen, such as the horizontal direction, for example,decides the placement of the display areas so that two of the displayareas are lined up in the horizontal direction. Subsequently, thedisplay 108 displays the display sets in the assigned display areas.Note that the placement of display sets may be conducted by followingthe order indicated by the identification numbers, or conductedrandomly.

Note that in FIG. 12B, the aspect ratio of the screen is different fromthe screen illustrated in FIG. 12A. For example, whereas the screen inFIG. 12A has an aspect ratio of 3:2, the screen in FIG. 12B has anaspect ratio of 16:9. For this reason, the aspect ratio of the displayarea for each of the display sets is also different.

Also, in FIG. 12C, the orientation of the screen is different from thescreens illustrated in FIGS. 12A and 12B. For example, in FIG. 12C, thereference direction of the screen is the vertical direction. For thisreason, the display areas of the display sets are arranged in thevertical direction. At this point, if there is free space in thehorizontal direction of the display areas of the display sets, thedisplay areas of the display sets may also be extended in the horizontaldirection. For example, the display areas of the display sets may beextended to an aspect ratio of 16:9.

Next, an example in which the number of display sets to display is threeor four will be described with reference to FIGS. 13A to 13C. Forexample, when the number of display sets to display is three or four,the controller 104 conducts a process similar to the case of displayingtwo display sets, and thereby decides, as the display area for onedisplay set, a rectangle obtained by dividing the display area 40 of themulti-view screen into four sections, as illustrated in FIGS. 13A to13C.

Next, an example in which the number of display sets to display is fiveor six will be described with reference to FIGS. 14A to 14C. Forexample, when the number of display sets to display is five or six, thecontroller 104 conducts a process similar to the case of displaying oneto four display sets, and thereby decides, as the display area for onedisplay set, a rectangle obtained by dividing the display area 40 of themulti-view screen into six sections, as illustrated in FIGS. 14A to 14C.

Note that when the number of display sets to be displayed is less thanthe decided number to display, a display area of a display set in whicha display set is not displayed may also exist. For example, when thenumber to display is six, but the number of display sets to be displayedis five (for example, there are five connected imaging devices 200), adisplay set is not displayed in one of the six display areas of displaysets, as illustrated in FIG. 14B. Note that the number of display setsthat are not displayed may also be two or more.

Next, an example in which the number of display sets to display is 7 to9 and 10 to 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 15A and 15B.For example, when the number of display sets to display is 7 to 9, thecontroller 104 conducts a process similar to the case of displaying oneto six display sets, and thereby decides, as the display area for onedisplay set, a rectangle obtained by dividing the display area 40 of themulti-view screen into 9 sections, as illustrated in FIG. 15A. Also,when the number of display sets to display is 10 to 12, the controller104 decides, as the display area for one display set, a rectangleobtained by dividing the display area 40 of the multi-view screen into12 sections, as illustrated in FIG. 15B.

Note that not all display sets related to all connected imaging devices200 may be displayed. For example, when there are five connected imagingdevices 200, the controller 104 selects the display format that dividesthe multi-view screen into four sections as illustrated in FIGS. 13A to13C, and selects four out of the five connected imaging devices 200, onthe basis of a user operation. Subsequently, the controller 104 causesthe display 108 to display the display sets related to the selectedimaging devices 200.

Note that although the above description of the multi-view screendescribes an example in which the image corresponding to an imagingdevice 200 is the image 30 received from an imaging device 200 at adesignated time interval, when an image is not received from an imagingdevice 200, the controller 104 may also cause the display 108 to displayan image indicating that an image has not been received or is beingreceived, instead of the image 30. For example, when the image 30 is notreceived from an imaging device 200, the controller 104 may acquire fromthe storage 106 an image 38 indicating that an image is being acquired,as illustrated in FIG. 11 , and cause the display 108 to display theacquired image 38. Note that when an image is later received from theimaging device 200, the controller 104 switches the displayed image fromthe image 38 to the received image 30.

Also, on the multi-view screen, images related to operating the imagingdevice 200 are displayed. For example, on the multi-view screen, asillustrated in FIG. 11 , the shooting mode setting icon 34 and arecording operation icon 36 related to an operation for instructing theimaging device 200 to record are displayed.

(Process of Switching Display Screen)

Next, a process of switching the screen displayed by the control device100-1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17 . FIG. 16 is adiagram illustrating an example of a process of switching thesingle-view screen by going through the multi-view screen on the controldevice 100-1 according to the present embodiment, while FIG. 17 is adiagram illustrating an example of a process of switching thesingle-view screen by going through the imaging device 200 list screenon the control device 100-1 according to the present embodiment.

First, a process of switching the single-view screen by going throughthe multi-view screen will be described with reference to FIG. 16 .

If an operation for transitioning to the multi-view screen is performedon the single-view screen, the controller 104 causes the display 108 totransition the display screen from the single-view screen to themulti-view screen. For example, on the single-view screen, if a tapoperation is performed on the identification number and the number ofconnected imaging devices 200 displayed adjacent to the shooting modeicon 32 as illustrated in the diagram to the left in FIG. 16 , thecontroller 104 causes the display 108 to display a multi-view screenlike the one illustrated in the middle-left diagram in FIG. 16 .

Next, if an operation selecting one of the display sets displayed on themulti-view screen is performed, the controller 104 causes the display108 to transition the display screen from the multi-view screen to asingle-view screen for the imaging device 200 corresponding to theselected display set. For example, on the multi-view screen, if a tapoperation is performed on one of the multiple display sets beingdisplayed, such as the display set with the identification number 2, forexample, the controller 104 causes the display 108 to display asingle-view screen for the imaging device 200 having the identificationnumber 2, as illustrated in the diagram to the right in FIG. 16 . Notethat during the time after the tap operation is performed and before thescreen transitions to the single-view screen, the controller 104 causesthe display 108 to display an image 64 indicating that a screentransition is being processed.

Next, a process of switching the single-view screen by going through theimaging device 200 list screen will be described with reference to FIG.17 .

When an operation for transitioning to the imaging device 200 listscreen is performed on the single-view screen, the controller 104 causesthe display 108 to transition the display screen from the single-viewscreen to the imaging device 200 list screen. For example, on thesingle-view screen, if a tap operation is performed on the Backoperation icon 42 for giving an instruction to go back a screen asillustrated in the diagram to the left in FIG. 17 , the controller 104causes the display 108 to display an imaging device 200 list screen likethe one illustrated in the middle-left diagram in FIG. 17 .

Next, if an operation selecting one of the pieces of informationindicating an imaging device 200 displayed on the imaging device 200list screen is performed, the controller 104 causes the display 108 totransition the display screen from the imaging device 200 list screen toa single-view screen for the imaging device 200 corresponding to theselected information indicating an imaging device 200. For example, onthe imaging device 200 list screen, if a tap operation is performed onone of the multiple pieces of information indicating an imaging device200 being displayed, such as the second piece of information from thetop, for example, the controller 104 causes the display 108 to display asingle-view screen for the imaging device 200 corresponding to thetapped information, as illustrated in the diagram to the right in FIG.17 . Note that during the time after the tap operation is performed andbefore the screen transitions to the single-view screen, the controller104 causes the display 108 to display an image 64 indicating that ascreen transition is being processed.

Note that a screen transition may also be conducted between the imagingdevice 200 list screen and the multi-view screen. For example, similarlyto the single-view screen, if a tap operation is performed on the Backoperation icon 42 on the multi-view screen, the controller 104 causesthe display 108 to display the imaging device 200 list screen. Also, onthe imaging device 200 list screen, an icon for giving an instruction totransition to the multi-view screen is additionally placed, and if a tapoperation is performed on the icon, the controller 104 causes thedisplay 108 to display the multi-view screen.

(Shooting Process)

Next, the control of the transmission of an operational instruction tothe imaging device 200 based on a user operation by the control device100-1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19 . For example,the controller 104 transmits an image recording instruction, or in otherwords a shooting instruction, to the imaging device 200 on the basis ofa user operation. FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining a shooting processon the single-view screen displayed by the control device 100-1according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 19 is a diagram forexplaining a shooting process on the multi-view screen displayed by thecontrol device 100-1 according to the present embodiment.

First, a shooting process on the single-view screen will be describedwith reference to FIG. 18 .

If an operation for image recording is performed on the single-viewscreen, the controller 104 transmits an instruction related to imagerecording only to the imaging device 200 corresponding to the imagebeing displayed. For example, on the single-view screen, if a tapoperation is performed on the recording operation icon 36, thecontroller 104 transmits an instruction related to image recording viacommunication only to the imaging device 200A corresponding to the imagebeing displayed on the single-view screen from among the connectedimaging devices 200A to 200D, as illustrated in FIG. 18 . For example,the instruction related to image recording may be an instruction tostart or stop recording a moving image, or to record a still image. Notethat in FIG. 18 , the short-dashed lines indicate that the controldevice 100-1 and the imaging devices 200 are connected, while thelong-dashed line indicates an operational instruction communicated fromthe control device 100-1 to an imaging device 200.

Next, a shooting process on the multi-view screen will be described withreference to FIG. 19 .

If an operation for image recording is performed on the multi-viewscreen, the controller 104 transmits an instruction related to imagerecording to each of the imaging devices 200 corresponding to thedisplay sets being displayed. For example, on the multi-view screen, ifa tap operation is performed on the recording operation icon 36, thecontroller 104 transmits an instruction related to image recording viacommunication to each of the imaging devices 200A to 200D correspondingto the display sets being displayed on the multi-view screen from amongthe connected imaging devices 200A to 200D, as illustrated in FIG. 19 .The controller 104 may also transmit operational instructions to allconnected imaging devices 200.

Also, the controller 104 may cause the display 108 to display anindication that the imaging devices 200 are in a recording state.Specifically, the controller 104 adds an object indicating a recordingstate to the display sets corresponding to the imaging devices 200 in arecording state. For example, when an imaging device 200 starts imagerecording in accordance with an image recording start instruction, theimaging device 200 transmits information such as the status of theimaging device 200 or an indication that image recording has started tothe control device 100-1. The controller 104 receives this information,and causes the display 108 to display an icon 44 indicating recording inthe display set corresponding to the imaging device 200 that transmittedthe information, such as overlaid onto the shooting mode icon 32, forexample. Alternatively, a shooting mode icon 32 indicating recording maybe displayed.

Note that the controller 104 may also transmit an operationalinstruction only to some of the imaging devices 200 corresponding to thedisplay sets displayed on the multi-view screen. For example, thecontroller 104 may transmit an operational instruction, or in otherwords an instruction related to image recording, only to the imagingdevice 200 corresponding to a selected display set on the multi-viewscreen.

Furthermore, the controller 104 decides the content of the operationalinstruction on the basis of the operational state of each of the imagingdevices 200 corresponding to the displayed display sets. Specifically,the controller 104 decides an instruction related to image recording foreach of the imaging devices 200 on the basis of an image recording statefor each of the imaging devices 200. Furthermore, a process of decidingthe content of such an operational instruction will be described indetail with reference to FIG. 20 . FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining aprocess of deciding the content of an instruction related to imagerecording to the imaging device 200 on the control device 100-1according to the present embodiment.

If an operation for image recording is performed on the multi-viewscreen, the controller 104 determines which predetermined statecorresponds to the operational states related to recording of each ofthe imaging devices 200 corresponding to the display sets beingdisplayed. For example, on the multi-view screen, if a tap operation isperformed on the recording operation icon 36, the controller 104acquires, from each of the imaging devices 200 via communication, theimage recording state of each of the imaging devices 200 correspondingto the display sets being displayed. Subsequently, the controller 104determines which designated state corresponds to the acquired imagerecording states, such as a state in which all imaging devices 200 havestopped recorded, a state in which multiple imaging devices 200 areexecuting recording, and a state in which all imaging devices 200 areexecuting recording, as illustrated in the left column of the table T1in FIG. 20 , for example. Note that the image recording states of theimaging devices 200 may also be acquired via communication in advanceand stored in the storage 106. In this case, the controller 104 acquiresthe image recording states from the storage 106.

The controller 104 decides the content of the operational instruction onthe basis of the determined states and the shooting mode of the imagingdevices 200. Specifically, for each of the imaging devices 200 to whichto transmit an instruction related to image recording, the controller104 decides the content with which to instruct each imaging device 200on the basis of the shooting mode and the determined state for each. Forexample, if the shooting mode is a moving-image type of shooting modefor a certain imaging device 200, for example, the controller 104selects from among instruction content as illustrated in the middlecolumn of the table T1 illustrated in FIG. 20 . Also, if the shootingmode is a still-image type of mode, the controller 104 selects fromamong instruction content as illustrated in the right column of thetable T1 illustrated in FIG. 20 . The controller 104 conducts the aboveselection process for each of the imaging devices 200 to be given anoperational instruction, and transmits an instruction related to imagerecording to each imaging device 200 in accordance with the selectedinstruction content.

In this way, according to the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the control device 100-1 is connected to multiple imagingdevices 200 via wireless communication, and communicates with each ofthe multiple imaging devices 200. Additionally, the control device 100-1specifies each of the images corresponding to each of the multipleimaging devices 200 on the basis of the communication, and lists thespecified images. For this reason, dynamic connections are enabledbetween the control device 100-1 and each of the multiple imagingdevices 200, and each of the images acquired from each of the multipleimaging devices 200 is perceivably displayed at a glance. Consequently,it is possible for the user to easily perceive the images correspondingto each of the multiple connected imaging devices 200, while alsoretaining flexibility in the format of communication with the imagingdevices 200.

Also, the control device 100-1 additionally conducts operational controlwith respect to imaging devices 200 corresponding to the listed images,on the basis of the occurrence of an event related to the imagingdevices 200 in the list display state. For this reason, by conductingoperational control related to imaging devices 200 perceived in a listby the user, the user more easily perceives the imaging devices 200whose operation is to be controlled, making it possible to improveusability.

In addition, the above event includes user operations directed at theimaging devices 200, and the control device 100-1 conducts operationalcontrol based on a user operation performed while in the list displaystate for each of the imaging devices 200 corresponding to each of thelisted images. For this reason, the user does not have to performoperations individually on each of the imaging devices 200 to beoperated, thereby reducing the user workload, and making it possible toimprove usability.

Also, the above operational control based on a user operation includescontrol of an operational instruction transmitted to the imaging devices200. For this reason, the transmission of an operational instruction tothe imaging devices 200 is controlled all at once, making it possible toreduce the possibility of inconsistent operational timings or the likeof the imaging devices 200.

In addition, the above operational instruction includes an instructionrelated to image recording with respect to the imaging devices 200, andthe control device 100-1 decides the instruction content on the basis ofthe operational state of each of the imaging devices 200 correspondingto the displayed images. For this reason, by aligning the operation ofeach of the imaging devices 200, it becomes possible to realize controlof a group of imaging devices 200 according to the user's intentions.

In addition, the control device 100-1 displays, in association with eachof the images, objects indicating the correspondence relationshipbetween each of the listed images and each of the imaging devices 200.In this way, by displaying an identification number and a friendly nameor the like in correspondence with an EE image, for example, the usermore easily recognizes the imaging device 200 corresponding to the EEimage, making it possible to minimize operating mistakes caused by theuser mistaking the correspondence relationship between an imaging device200 and an EE image.

In addition, the control device 100-1 individually displays one fromamong the images, and switches the display between the list display ofthe images and the individual display. For this reason, when the userwants to focus only on one imaging device 200 among the imaging devices200 corresponding to each of the listed images, the display may beswitched to an individual display of the relevant imaging device 200,thereby making it possible to improve usability.

In addition, the control device 100-1 conducts operational control basedon a user operation directed at an imaging device 200 in the individualdisplay state, only for the imaging device 200 corresponding to theindividually displayed image. For this reason, operational control isconducted only for the imaging device 200 that the user wants tooperate, thereby making it possible to improve usability further.

<2-3. Modifications>

The foregoing thus describes a first embodiment of the presentdisclosure. However, the present embodiment is not limited to theforegoing example. Hereinafter, first to third modifications of thepresent embodiment will be described.

(First Modification)

As a first modification of the present embodiment, the control device100-1 may also notify the user of an operational result of the imagingdevice 200 conducted on the basis of an instruction related to imagerecording. Specifically, the communication unit 102 receives an imageobtained by a recording operation of the imaging device 200 conducted onthe basis of an instruction related to image recording, and thecontroller 104 causes the display 108 to display the received image.

For example, on the basis of an instruction by the controller 104, thecommunication unit 102 transmits a recording instruction to an imagingdevice 200 whose shooting mode is still image mode, and receives animage obtained by the imaging of that imaging device 200. The controller104 causes the display 108 to display the received image as aconfirmation display, or in other words, a preview. Furthermore, thecontroller 104 causes the display 108 to display an image prompting theuser to select whether or not to save the image, and if an operationselecting to save is performed, causes the storage 106 to store theimage.

Furthermore, the controller 104 may also determine whether or not topresent a preview on the basis of configuration information related toimage preview and saving. Configuration information for preview will bedescribed in detail with reference to FIG. 21 . FIG. 21 is a diagramillustrating an example of configuration information for image previewand saving according to a first modification of the present embodiment.

First, when an image is received from the imaging device 200, thecontroller 104 acquires configuration information for preview andsaving. For example, configuration information indicating whether or notto conduct preview and saving is stored in the storage 106, and when animage is received from the imaging device 200, the controller 104acquires the configuration information from the storage 106.

Next, the controller 104 determines whether or not to preview thereceived image, on the basis of the shooting mode of the imaging device200 and the acquired configuration information. For example, thecontroller 104 decides whether or not to present a preview (display)according to whether the configuration information for preview (display)and saving is on or off, and whether the shooting mode is still image(normal) or still image (continuous), as illustrated by the table T2 inFIG. 21 . For example, when the shooting mode is still image (normal),the controller 104 presents a preview if the preview (display) settingis on, and when the shooting image is still image (continuous), thecontroller 104 presents a preview if the preview (display) or savingsetting is on. This is because when the shooting mode is still image(continuous), multiple received images exist, and thus the user is madeto select which of the multiple images to save, or select to save all.Note that the controller 104 may also change the determination resultaccording to whether the screen is the single-view screen or themulti-view screen. Specifically, for the single-view screen, thecontroller 104 makes a determination as above, and for the multi-viewscreen, the controller 104 does not preview the image received from theimaging device 200. For example, the controller 104 ordinarily does notpresent a preview (display) on the multi-view screen, irrespective ofthe content of the configuration information for preview (display) andsaving or the shooting mode, as illustrated by the table T2 in FIG. 21 .

In this way, according to the first modification of the presentembodiment, the control device 100-1 presents a confirmation display tothe user for an image obtained by a recording operation of the imagingdevice 200 based on an instruction related to image recording.

In addition, in the list display state, the control device 100-1 doesnot present a confirmation display to the user for the result ofrecording by the imaging device 200 conducted on the basis of aninstruction related to image recording. At this point, in some casesimages may be received as recording results from multiple imagingdevices 200 in response to an instruction related to image recording onthe multi-view screen, and thus if a preview is presented for each ofthe received images, the display screen may become complicated. However,according to the process of the present modification, a preview is notprevented on the multi-view screen, thereby making it possible tominimize decreases in the visibility of the display screen.

Note that although the above describes an example in which a preview ispresented when the shooting mode is a mode related to still images, buta preview may also be presented when the shooting mode is a mode relatedto moving images.

Additionally, when images related to recording are received frommultiple imaging devices 200 on the multi-view screen, the controller104 may also treat each of the multiple imaging devices 200 as onegroup, and cause the storage 106 to save each of the received images inunits of groups. For example, if images are received from multipleimaging devices 200, the controller 104 treats each of the imagingdevices 200 as one group, and causes the storage 106 to store thereceived images so that each of the received images is saved in a commondirectory or the like, for example. In this case, organization of theimages received from contemporaneously connected imaging devices 200becomes easy, making it possible to improve usability.

(Second Modification)

As a second modification of the present embodiment, the control device100-1 may also transmit another operational instruction different froman instruction related to image recording, such as an instructionrelated to the settings of the imaging device 200, for example.Specifically, the control device 100-1 transmits a settings-relatedinstruction to the imaging device 200 on the basis of a user operationconducted in the individual display state or the list display state.First, an operation of transmitting a settings instruction to theimaging device 200 while in the individual display state will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 22 . FIG. 22 is a diagram forexplaining an example of an operation of transmitting a settingsinstruction to the imaging device 200 on the single-view screen of thecontrol device 100-1 according to a second modification of the presentembodiment.

If an operation related to the settings of the imaging device 200 isperformed on the single-view screen, the control device 100-1 transmitsa settings-related instruction only to the imaging device 200corresponding to the displayed image. For example, on the single-viewscreen, if a tap operation is performed on the icon 20 related to thesettings of the imaging device 200 or the shooting mode setting icon 34,the controller 104 causes the display 108 to display a shooting modeselection screen 66, as illustrated in FIG. 22 . Subsequently, if ashooting mode is selected on the shooting mode selection screen 66, thecontroller 104 transmits an instruction related to the shooting modesetting via communication only to the imaging device 200A correspondingto the image being displayed on the screen from among the connectedimaging devices 200A to 200D, as illustrated in FIG. 22 .

Next, an operation of transmitting a settings instruction to the imagingdevice 200 while in the list display state will be described withreference to FIG. 23 . FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining an example ofan operation of transmitting a settings instruction to the imagingdevice 200 on the multi-view screen of the control device 100-1according to the second modification of the present embodiment.

If an operation related to the settings of the imaging device 200 isperformed on the multi-view screen, the control device 100-1 transmits asettings-related instruction to each of the imaging devices 200corresponding to each of the displayed images. For example, on themulti-view screen, if a tap operation is performed on the shooting modesetting icon 34, the controller 104 causes the display 108 to displaythe shooting mode selection screen 66, as illustrated in FIG. 23 .Subsequently, if a shooting mode is selected on the shooting modeselection screen 66, the controller 104 transmits an instruction relatedto the shooting mode setting via communication to each of the imagingdevices 200A to 200D corresponding to the display sets being displayedon the multi-view screen from among the connected imaging devices 200Ato 200D.

At this point, the controller 104 decides the instruction content on thebasis of settings shared in common among the imaging devices 200corresponding to the displayed images. For example, the controller 104picks out selectable shooting modes shared in common among the imagingdevices 200A to 200D corresponding to the displayed display sets, andcauses the relevant shooting modes to be displayed on the shooting modeselection screen 66. Subsequently, the controller 104 transmits aninstruction via communication to each of the imaging devices 200 so asto change the shooting mode to the shooting mode selected by the user onthe shooting mode selection screen 66.

Note that although the above describes an example in which the contentof the setting to transmit to the imaging devices 200 on the multi-viewscreen is a shooting mode setting, the content of the setting totransmit to the imaging devices 200 may also be another setting, such asa communication mode setting.

In this way, according to the second modification of the presentembodiment, the control device 100-1 transmits a settings-relatedinstruction to the imaging device 200 on the basis of a user operationconducted in the individual display state or the list display state.

Also, if an operation related to the settings of the imaging device 200is performed on the multi-view screen, the control device 100-1transmits a settings-related instruction to each of the imaging devices200 corresponding to each of the displayed images. For this reason,individual operations on each of the imaging devices 200 may be omitted,making it possible to improve usability.

Also, the control device 100-1 decides the instruction content on thebasis of settings shared in common among the imaging devices 200corresponding to the displayed images. For this reason, by nottransmitting a settings-related instruction to an imaging device 200that does not support the selected setting, it becomes possible tominimize errors on the relevant imaging device 200 and also to minimizethe user mistakenly thinking that the relevant setting is available onthe relevant imaging device.

(Third Modification)

As a third modification of the present embodiment, the control device100-1 may also notify the user when an operation that is not supportedin the currently set communication mode is performed. Specifically, whenthe communication mode is multi-connection mode, and an operation thatis not supported in multi-connection mode is performed, the controller104 causes the display 108 to display an image notifying the user thatthe operation is unsupported. Furthermore, a process will be describedfor the case in which an operation that is not supported in thecurrently set communication mode is performed, with reference to FIGS.24A to 24D. FIGS. 24A to 24D are each a diagram for explaining anexample of a display indicating that a performed operation isunsupported on the control device 100-1 according to the thirdmodification of the present embodiment.

For example, in multi-connection mode, if an operation for making asingle connection is performed, such as a touch operation on the controldevice 100-1 with respect to an imaging device 200 in conjunction withNFC communication, for example, the controller 104 causes the display108 to display an image notifying the user that the currentcommunication mode is multi-connection mode. The display 108 displays animage 68 as illustrated in FIGS. 24A to 24D, for example. Note thatalthough FIGS. 24A to 24D illustrate examples in which the same image 68is displayed on each display screen, different screens may be displayedfor each. In addition, the image 68 may also be an image that disappearsafter a designated time elapses, such as a Toast image, for example.

In this way, according to the third modification of the presentembodiment, the user may be notified when an operation that is notsupported in the currently set communication mode is performed. For thisreason, the user does not repeatedly perform an unsupported operationwithout knowing that the operation is not supported in the currently setcommunication mode, making it possible to improve usability.

3. SECOND EMBODIMENT (OPERATIONAL CONTROL BASED ON STATUS CHANGE INIMAGING DEVICE)

The foregoing thus described a control device 100-1 according to thefirst embodiment of the present disclosure. Next, a control device 100-2according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will bedescribed. The control device 100-2 controls, on the basis of a statuschange of each of the imaging devices 200 corresponding to each of thelisted images, a display indicating the status changes.

<3-1. Device Configuration>

The configuration of the control device 100-2 according to the secondembodiment of the present disclosure is substantially the same as theconfiguration according to the first embodiment, but the function of thecontroller 104 is partially different. Note that description will bereduced or omitted for functions which are substantially the same as thefirst embodiment.

(Functional Configuration of Control Device)

The controller 104 controls, on the basis of a status change of each theconnected imaging devices 200, a display indicating the status changes.Specifically, the controller 104 controls a display indicating thecommunication status of each of the imaging devices 200. Furthermore,the controller 104 controls the display differently according to theconfigured display mode.

If the display mode is single-view mode, the controller 104 controls thedisplay to indicate the status change of the imaging device 200corresponding to the individually displayed image. In addition, thecontroller 104 controls the display to indicate status changes ofimaging devices 200 other than the imaging device 200 corresponding tothe individually displayed image. Specifically, the controller 104controls the display to indicate a change in communication status on thebasis of a change in the communication status of the imaging device 200corresponding to the individually displayed image, and also controls thedisplay to indicate a change in communication status on the basis of thechanges in the communication statuses of imaging devices 200 other thanthe above imaging device 200. For example, when communication with theimaging device 200 corresponding to the individually displayed image isdisconnected, the controller 104 switches the display mode to themulti-view mode. Also, when there is change in the presence or absenceof a communication connection with a imaging device 200 other than theimaging device 200 related to the individually displayed image, thecontroller 104 causes the display 108 to display an image indicatingthat the presence or absence of that communication connection haschanged.

If the display mode is multi-view mode, the controller 104 controls thedisplay to indicate status changes on the basis of the status change ofeach of the imaging devices 200 corresponding to each of the listedimages. Specifically, the controller 104 controls, on the basis of achange in communication status of an imaging device 200, a displayindicating the change in communication status. For example, thecontroller 104 controls the display of the image corresponding to theimaging device 200 related to a change in the presence or absence of acommunication connection.

<3-2. Device Operation>

Next, processing by the control device 100-2 according to the presentembodiment will be described.

(Overall Process Flow)

First, the overall processing by the control device 100-2 will besummarized with reference to FIG. 25 . FIG. 25 is a flowchart thatconceptually illustrates a summary of overall processing by the controldevice 100-2 according to the present embodiment. Note that descriptionwill be reduced or omitted for processes which are substantially thesame as processes in the first embodiment.

First, the communication unit 102 activates the application inmulti-connection mode (step S402), and displays images received from theconnected imaging devices 200 (step S404).

Next, the control device 100-2 determines whether or not the presence orabsence of a communication connection with an imaging device 200 haschanged (step S406). Specifically, the controller 104 determines whetheror not communication with a connected imaging device 200 has beendisconnected, or whether or not a communication connection has been madewith a new imaging device 200.

In the case of determining that the presence or absence of acommunication connection with an imaging device 200 has changed, thecontrol device 100-2 determines whether or not the display mode ismulti-view mode (step S408). Specifically, when a connection with animaging device 200 is disconnected or newly made, the controller 104determines whether or not the display mode is multi-view mode.

If the display mode is determined to be multi-view mode, the controldevice 100-2 executes display control to indicate the status changes ofthe imaging devices 200 corresponding to the displayed images (stepS410). Specifically, the controller 104 executes display control of theimages corresponding to the imaging devices 200 whose communicationstatus has changed from among the imaging devices 200 corresponding tothe listed images.

If the display mode is determined not to be multi-view mode, or in otherwords determined to be single-view mode, the control device 100-2determines whether or not the imaging device 200 whose communicationstatus has changed is the imaging device 200 corresponding to thedisplayed image (step S412). Specifically, the controller 104 determineswhether or not a disconnected imaging device 200 is the imaging device200 corresponding to the displayed image.

In the case of determining that an imaging device 200 whose presence orabsence of a communication connection changed is the imaging device 200corresponding to the displayed image, the control device 100-2 changesthe display mode to multi-view mode (step S414). Specifically, in thecase of determining that a disconnected imaging device 200 is theimaging device 200 corresponding to the displayed image, the controller104 changes the display mode to multi-view mode, and causes the display108 to transition the display screen to the multi-view screen.

In the case of determining that an imaging device 200 whose presence orabsence of a communication connection changed is not the imaging device200 corresponding to the displayed image, the control device 100-2temporarily displays an image indicating the change in the presence orabsence of a communication connection (step S416). Specifically, in thecase of determining that a disconnected imaging device 200 is not theimaging device 200 corresponding to the displayed image or that a newcommunication connection has been made from an imaging device 200, thecontroller 104 causes the display 108 to display an image indicating thecommunication disconnection or the communication connection for adesignated time.

Next, a display control process based on a status change in thecommunication connection of the imaging device 200 on the control device100-2 will be described. First, a display control process when making anew communication connection with the imaging device 200 will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 26A to 26D. FIGS. 26A to 26D arediagrams for explaining a display control process when making a newcommunication connection with the imaging device 200 on the controldevice 100-2 according to the present embodiment.

(Display Control Process when New Communication Connection with ImagingDevice 200 is Made)

First, when a new communication connection with the imaging device 200is established, the controller 104 specifies the type of the displayscreen. For example, when a communication connection with the imagingdevice 200 is newly added, the controller 104 specifies whether thecurrently displayed screen is the standby screen indicating that thecontrol device 100-2 is waiting for a connection from the imaging device200, the imaging device 200 list screen, or a single-view screen ormulti-view screen from among the operating screens.

Next, the controller 104 controls the display according to the specifiedtype of the display screen. For example, if the display screen is thestandby screen, the controller 104 causes the display 108 to transitionthe display screen to the imaging device 200 list screen and alsodisplay an image 70 indicating that a new communication connection withthe imaging device 200 was made, as illustrated in the lower part ofFIG. 26A. Meanwhile, if the display screen is the imaging device 200list screen, the controller 104 causes the display 108 to additionallydisplay on the list screen information indicating the newly connectedimaging device 200 and also display the image 70 indicating that a newcommunication connection with the imaging device 200 was made, asillustrated in the lower part of FIG. 26B. Note that the image 70 mayalso be an image that disappears after a designated time elapses, suchas a Toast image, for example.

Meanwhile, if the display screen is the single-view screen, thecontroller 104 causes the display 108 to update the display indicatingthe number of connected imaging devices 200 and also display the image70 indicating that a new communication connection with the imagingdevice 200 was made, as illustrated in the lower part of FIG. 26C.Meanwhile, if the display screen is the multi-view screen, thecontroller 104 causes the display 108 to additionally display thedisplay set corresponding to the newly connected imaging device 200 andalso display the image 70 indicating that a new communication connectionwith the imaging device 200 was made, as illustrated in the lower partof FIG. 26D.

Next, a display control process when communication with the imagingdevice 200 is disconnected will be described with reference to FIGS. 27Ato 27C and FIG. 28 . FIGS. 27A to 27C and FIG. 28 are diagrams forexplaining a display control process when communication with the imagingdevice 200 is disconnected on the control device 100-2 according to thepresent embodiment. Note that description will be reduced or omitted forprocesses that are substantially the same as the processes discussedabove.

(Display Control Process when Communication with Imaging Device 200 isDisconnected)

First, when communication with the imaging device 200 is disconnected,the controller 104 specifies the type of the display screen.

Next, the controller 104 controls the display according to the specifiedtype of display screen. For example, if the display screen is theimaging device 200 list screen, the controller 104 causes the display108 to remove from the list screen information indicating thedisconnected imaging device 200 and also display an image 72 indicatingthe disconnected imaging device 200 as well as indicating that theimaging device 200 was disconnected, as illustrated in the lower part ofFIG. 27A. Note that the image 72 may also be an image that disappearsafter a designated time elapses, such as a Toast image, for example.

Also, if the display screen is the single-view screen, the controller104 determines whether or not the disconnected imaging device 200 is theimaging device 200 corresponding to the display screen. Subsequently, inthe case of determining that the disconnected imaging device 200 is notthe imaging device 200 corresponding to the display screen, thecontroller 104 causes the display 108 to update the display indicatingthe number of connected imaging devices 200 and also display the image72 indicating the disconnected imaging device 200 as well as indicatingthat the imaging device 200 was disconnected, as illustrated in thediagram to the left on the lower row of FIG. 27B. Also, in the case ofdetermining that the disconnected imaging device 200 is the imagingdevice 200 corresponding to the display screen, the controller 104causes the display 108 to transition the display screen to themulti-view screen and also display the image 72 indicating thedisconnected imaging device 200 as well as indicating that the imagingdevice 200 was disconnected, as illustrated in the diagram to the righton the lower row of FIG. 27B. Note that on the multi-view screen afterthe transition, the display set corresponding to the disconnectedimaging device 200 is not displayed.

Also, if the display screen is the multi-view screen, the controller 104causes the display 108 to remove the display set corresponding to thedisconnected imaging device 200 and also display the image 72 indicatingthe disconnected imaging device 200 as well as indicating that theimaging device 200 was disconnected, as illustrated in the lower part ofFIG. 27C. Note that in addition to removing a display set, the displaysets may also be changed. For example, the identification numbers may bemoved up for the display sets related to identification numbers thatcame after the identification number of the removed display set.

Note that if no more connected imaging devices 200 exist, the controller104 may also cause the display 108 to transition the display screen to astandby screen indicating that the control device 100-2 is waiting for aconnection from an imaging device 200. For example, when an imagingdevice 200 is disconnected, the controller 104 determines whether or notat least one imaging device 200 is connected. In the case of determiningthat no imaging devices 200 are connected, the controller 104 causes thecontroller 104 to transition the display screen to the standby screen.For example, if the display screen is one from among the imaging device200 list screen, the single-view screen, and the multi-view screen, thedisplay screen is transitioned to the standby screen, as illustrated inFIG. 28 .

In this way, according to the second embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the control device 100-2 controls the display to indicate astatus change in each of the imaging devices 200 corresponding to eachof the listed images. For this reason, the user may easily perceivestatus changes in the listed imaging devices 200, and become able torapidly address such status changes.

In addition, the above status change of the imaging device 200 includesa change in the communication status of the imaging device 200. For thisreason, by informing the user of a status change in communication withthe imaging device 200 which is related to control of the imaging device200, it becomes possible to minimize missed control opportunities andincorrect control of the imaging device 200 due to the user not knowingabout the status change.

In addition, the control device 100-2 controls the display of an imagerelated to the imaging device 200 for which the presence or absence of acommunication connection has changed. For this reason, by informing theuser of the change in the presence or absence of the communicationconnection, it becomes possible to further minimize missed controlopportunities and incorrect control of the imaging device 200.

In addition, on the single-view screen, the control device 100-2controls the display to indicate status changes of imaging devices 200other than the imaging device 200 corresponding to the individuallydisplayed image. For this reason, by informing the user of the status ofother imaging devices 200 while the user is focusing on operating asingle imaging device 200, it becomes possible to save the user from theburden of switching the display mode, or in other words the displayscreen, and thereby improve usability.

<3-3. Modifications>

The foregoing thus describes the second embodiment of the presentdisclosure. However, an embodiment is not limited to the foregoingexample. Hereinafter, modifications of the present embodiment will bedescribed.

As a modification of the present embodiment, the control device 100-2may also control the display on the basis of a malfunction occurring inthe imaging device 200. Specifically, the controller 104 causes thedisplay 108 to display an object indicating an ongoing error that occursin an ongoing manner as a first malfunction. Note that an ongoing errorincludes errors that occur continuously or intermittently, and may be alack of media inserted into the imaging device 200 or a temperatureincrease in the imaging device 200, for example. In addition, a displaycontrol process based the occurrence of an ongoing error in the imagingdevice 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 29 and 30 . FIG. 29is a diagram illustrating an example of a display related to an ongoingerror on a single-view screen of the control device 100-2 according to amodification of the present embodiment, and FIG. 30 is a diagramillustrating an example of a display related to an ongoing error on amulti-view screen of the control device 100-2 according to amodification of the present embodiment.

(Display Control Based on Occurrence of Ongoing Error)

First, the controller 104 detects the occurrence of an error in theimaging device 200. For example, the controller 104 detects theoccurrence of an error in the imaging device 200 on the basis of errorinformation received from the imaging device 200 where the erroroccurred.

When the occurrence of an error in the imaging device 200 is detected,the controller 104 specifies the type of the detected error. Forexample, the controller 104 specifies the type of error on the basis oferror type information or the like included in error informationreceived from the imaging device 200.

Next, if specified error type is an ongoing error, the controller 104presents a display indicating the occurrence of an ongoing error,according to the currently configured display mode.

For example, if the display mode is single-view mode, the controller 104causes the display 108 to display an image 74 made up of an iconindicating the occurrence of an ongoing error and a text stringexplaining the content of the error, as illustrated in FIG. 29 . Notethat the image 74 is continually displayed while the ongoing error isoccurring.

Meanwhile, if the display mode is multi-view mode, the controller 104causes the display 108 to display an object indicating the occurrence ofan ongoing error in association with the image corresponding to theimaging device 200 where the ongoing error occurred. For example, thecontroller 104 causes the display 108 to display an icon 76 indicatingthe occurrence of an ongoing error, overlaid onto the display setcorresponding to the imaging device 200 where the ongoing erroroccurred, such as the image 30, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 30 .

(Display Control Based on Occurrence of Isolated Error)

In addition, the controller 104 may also cause the display 108 todisplay an object indicating an isolated error that occurs in anisolated manner as a second malfunction. For example, an isolated errormay be a failure of operation in the imaging device 200, the receivingof an instruction for unsupported operation, or the like. A displaycontrol process based the occurrence of an isolated error in the imagingdevice 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 31A and 31B, andFIG. 32 . FIGS. 31A and 31B are diagrams illustrating an example of adisplay related to an isolated error on a single-view screen of thecontrol device 100-2 according to a modification of the presentembodiment, and FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating an example of adisplay related to an isolated error on a multi-view screen of thecontrol device 100-2 according to a modification of the presentembodiment. Note that description will be reduced or omitted forprocesses that are substantially the same as the processes for anongoing error.

First, the controller 104 detects the occurrence of an error in theimaging device 200, and specifies the type of the detected error.

Next, if specified error type is an isolated error, the controller 104presents a display indicating the occurrence of an isolated error,according to the currently configured display mode.

For example, if the display mode is single-view mode, the controller 104determines whether or not the imaging device 200 where the isolatederror occurred is the imaging device 200 related to the image displayedon the single-view screen. In the case of determining that the imagingdevice 200 where the error occurred is the imaging device 200 related tothe displayed image, the controller 104 causes the display 108 todisplay a dialog 78 including an indication that an isolated erroroccurred in the imaging device 200 related to the displayed image, aswell as a text string explaining the content of the error, asillustrated in FIG. 31A. Note that the dialog 78 is removed from thedisplay screen if the user performs a confirmation operation. Meanwhile,in the case of determining that the imaging device 200 where theisolated error occurred is another imaging device 200 other than theimaging device 200 related to the displayed image, the controller 104causes the display 108 to display an image 80 indicating that anisolated error occurred in the corresponding other imaging device 200,as illustrated in FIG. 31B. Note that the image 80 may also be an imagethat disappears after a designated time elapses, such as a Toast image,for example.

Meanwhile, if the display mode is multi-view mode, the controller 104causes the display 108 to display an image 82 indicating that anisolated error occurred in the corresponding other imaging device 200,as illustrated in FIG. 32 . Note that if an isolated error occurs ineach of multiple imaging devices 200, the controller 104 may cause thedisplay 108 to display and remove an image 82 for each imaging device200 where an isolated error occurred in order of error occurrence, orarrange and display multiple images 82.

In this way, according to the modification of the present embodiment,the control device 100-2 controls the display to indicate the occurrenceof a malfunction in each of the imaging devices 200 corresponding toeach of the listed images. For this reason, by informing the user of amalfunction in an imaging device 200 related to the list display, theuser becomes able to quickly switch the display screen to thesingle-view screen in order to individually operate the imaging device200 where the malfunction occurred, and address the malfunction.

In addition, the control device 100-2 displays an object indicating theoccurrence of an ongoing error. For this reason, by enabling the user torecognize an ongoing error more easily, it becomes possible to reducethe possibility of the occurrence of an ongoing error being overlooked.

In addition, the control device 100-2 displays an object indicating theoccurrence of an ongoing error in association with the imagecorresponding to the imaging device 200 where the ongoing erroroccurred. For this reason, it is easier to perceive which imaging device200 the ongoing error occurred in, enabling the user to address theongoing error more rapidly.

In addition, the control device 100-2 displays an object which indicatesthe occurrence of an isolated error, and which disappears after adesignated time elapses. For this reason, when isolated errors occurrepeatedly, it is possible to prevent reduced visibility of the displayscreen as a result of displays related to the non-ongoing isolatederrors remaining on the display screen.

4. HARDWARE CONFIGURATION OF CONTROL DEVICE ACCORDING TO EMBODIMENT OFTHE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

The control device 100 according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure have been described above. The processes of the controldevice 100 described above are realized through cooperation of softwareand the hardware of the control device 100 to be described below.

FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a hardware configurationof the control device 100 according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 33 , the control device 100 includesa central processing unit (CPU) 132, a read-only memory (ROM) 134, arandom access memory (RAM) 136, a bridge 138, a bus 140, an interface142, an input device 144, an output device 146, a storage device 148, adrive 150, a connection port 152, and a communication device 154.

The CPU 132 functions as an arithmetic processing apparatus and realizesan operation of the control unit 102 in the control device 100 incooperation with various programs. The CPU 132 may be a microprocessor.The ROM 134 stores programs, arithmetic parameters, and the like used bythe CPU 132. The RAM 136 temporarily stores programs used in executionof the CPU 132 or parameters or the like properly changed in executionthereof. A part of the storage unit 106 in the control device 100 isrealized by the ROM 134 and the RAM 136. The CPU 132, the ROM 134, andthe RAM 136 are mutually connected by an internal bus configured by aCPU bus or the like.

The input device 144 is configured to include an input unit, such as amouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, a button, a microphone, a switch, anda lever, used for the user to input information, and an input controlcircuit such as the operation detector 110 generating an input signalbased on an input by the user and outputting the input signal to the CPU132. The user of the control device 100 can input various kinds of dataor can give an instruction of a processing operation to the controldevice 100 by manipulating the input device 144.

The output device 146 outputs information to, for example, a device suchas a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, an organic light emittingdiode (OLED) device, or a lamp. The output device 146 may output anaudio of a speaker, a headphone, and the like.

The storage device 148 is a device that stores data. The storage device148 may include a storage medium, a recording device recording data on astorage medium, a reading device reading data from a storage medium, ora deletion device deleting data recorded on a storage medium. Thestorage device 148 stores programs executed by the CPU 132 or variouskinds of data.

The drive 150 is a reader/writer for a storage medium, and is internallyhoused inside, or externally attached to, the control device 100. Thedrive 150 reads out information recorded to a removable storage mediumsuch as an inserted magnetic disk, optical disc, magneto-optical disc,or semiconductor memory, and outputs such information to the RAM 134.Additionally, the drive 150 may also write information to the removablestorage medium.

The connection port 152 is, for example, a bus connected to an externalinformation processing process or a peripheral device of the controldevice 100. The connection port 152 may be a Universal Serial Bus (USB).

The communication device 154 is an example of the communication unit 102of the control device 100 and is, for example, a communication interfaceconfigured by a communication device connected to a network. Thecommunication device 154 may be a communication device corresponding toa wireless local area network (LAN), or may be a communication devicecorresponding to Long Term Evolution (LTE).

5. CONCLUSION

As above, according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure,dynamic connections are enabled between the control device 100-1 andeach of the multiple imaging devices 200, and each of the imagesacquired from each of the multiple imaging devices 200 is perceivablydisplayed at a glance. Consequently, it is possible for the user toeasily perceive the images corresponding to each of the multipleconnected imaging devices 200, while also retaining flexibility in theformat of communication with the imaging devices 200. In addition,according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, the usermay easily perceive status changes in the listed imaging devices 200,and become able to rapidly address such status changes.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

For example, the foregoing embodiments describe examples of screentransitions for each process, the present technology is not limited tosuch examples. For example, the controller 104 may also cause thedisplay 108 to transition the display screen without going through anyof the screens described in the foregoing embodiments, or by goingthrough another screen. For example, the controller 104 may cause thedisplay 108 to transition directly from the standby screen illustratedin the diagram to the left in FIG. 5 to the confirmation screen forchanging the communication mode setting illustrated in the diagram tothe right in FIG. 5 , without going through the screen illustrated inthe middle diagram in FIG. 5 . In this case, a GUI element such as abutton for changing the communication mode setting is made available onthe standby screen.

Also, the second embodiment above describes an example in which, on themulti-view screen, the displayed content of the display sets iscontrolled on the basis of a status change in the communicationconnection. However, the display layout of the display sets may also becontrolled. For example, if a communication connection is added orremoved, the controller 104 may increase, decrease, or maintain thenumber of display sets to display, according to the number of connectedimaging devices 200.

The effects described in the specification are just explanatory orexemplary effects, and are not limiting. That is, the technologyaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure can exhibit othereffects that are apparent to a person skilled in the art from thedescriptions in the specification, along with the above effects orinstead of the above effects.

(1)

A control method including:

connecting with a plurality of imaging devices via wirelesscommunication, and communicating with each of the plurality of imagingdevices;

specifying each of images corresponding to each of the plurality ofimaging devices, on the basis of the communication; and

listing the specified images.

(2)

The control method according to (1), further including:

conducting, on the basis of an occurrence of an event related to atleast one of the imaging devices, operational control related to theimaging devices corresponding to the listed images.

(3)

The control method according to (2), wherein

the event includes a user operation directed at the imaging devices, and

the control method further includes conducting operational control basedon the user operation performed in a list display state for each of theimaging devices corresponding to each of the listed images.

(4)

The control method according to (3), wherein

the operational control based on the user operation includes anoperational instruction with respect to the imaging devices.

(5)

The control method according to (4), wherein

the operational instruction includes an instruction related to imagerecording with respect to the imaging devices, and

the control method further includes deciding instruction content on thebasis of an operational state of each of the imaging devicescorresponding to each displayed image.

(6)

The control method according to (5), further including:

in the list display state, ending the image recording without presentinga confirmation display to a user regarding a result of recording by theimaging devices conducted on the basis of the instruction related to theimage recording.

(7)

The control method according to (4), wherein

the operational instruction includes an instruction related to a settingwith respect to the imaging devices, and

the control method further includes deciding instruction content on thebasis of a setting shared in common among the imaging devicescorresponding to displayed images.

(8)

The control method according to any one of (1) to (7), furtherincluding:

conducting, when a status change occurs in the imaging devices, displaycontrol to indicate the status change in each of the imaging devicescorresponding to each of the listed images.

(9)

The control method according to (8), wherein

the status change in the imaging devices includes a change in acommunication state of the imaging devices.

(10)

The control method according to (9), wherein

the change in the communication state of the imaging devices includes achange in a presence or absence of a communication connection with theimaging devices, and the control method further includes controllingdisplay of an image related to the imaging devices for which thepresence or absence of a communication connection has changed.(11)

The control method according to any one of (8) to (10), wherein

the status change in the imaging devices includes an occurrence of amalfunction in the imaging devices.

(12)

The control method according to (11), wherein

the malfunction includes a malfunction that occurs in an ongoing manner,and

the control method further includes displaying an object indicating themalfunction that occurs in an ongoing manner.

(13)

The control method according to (12), further including:

displaying the object indicating the malfunction that occurs in anongoing manner in association with the images corresponding to theimaging devices where the malfunction that occurs in an ongoing mannerhas occurred.

(14)

The control method according to any one of (11) to (13), wherein

the malfunction includes a malfunction that occurs in an isolatedmanner, and

the control method further includes displaying an object which indicatesthe malfunction that occurs in an isolated manner, and which disappearsafter a designated time elapses.

(15)

The control method according to any one of (1) to (14), furtherincluding:

displaying, in association with each of the listed images, an objectindicating a correspondence relationship between each of the listedimages and each of the imaging devices.

(16)

The control method according to any one of (1) to (15), furtherincluding:

individually displaying one from among the images; and

switching display between list display of the images and individualdisplay of the image.

(17)

The control method according to (16), further including:

conducting operational control based on a user operation directed at theimaging devices in an individual display state, only for the imagingdevices corresponding to the individually displayed image.

(18)

The control method according to (16) or (17), further including:

conducting, in an individual display state, display control to indicatea status change in the imaging devices other than the imaging devicescorresponding to the individually displayed image.

(19)

A control device including:

a communication unit that connects with a plurality of imaging devicesvia wireless communication, and communicates with each of the pluralityof imaging devices; and

a controller that specifies each of images corresponding to each of theplurality of imaging devices, on the basis of the communication, andlists the specified images.

(20)

A program causing a computer to realize:

a communication function that connects with a plurality of imagingdevices via wireless communication, and communicates with each of theplurality of imaging devices; and

a control function that specifies each of images corresponding to eachof the plurality of imaging devices, on the basis of the communication,and lists the specified images.

(21)

A control method comprising:

wirelessly communicating with a plurality of imaging devices; and

displaying identifiers corresponding respectively to the plurality ofimaging devices, on the basis of the communication.

(22)

The control method according to (21), further comprising:

controlling an operation of each of the plurality of imaging devices inresponse to an event related to at least one of the plurality of imagingdevices.

(23)

The control method according to any one of (21) and (22), wherein

the event includes a user operation that is directed at the plurality ofimaging devices while the identifiers are being displayed, and

the controlling an operation of each of the plurality of imaging devicesin response to the user operation includes controlling a recordingoperation of each of the plurality of imaging devices.

(24)

The control method according to any one of (21) through (23), wherein

for those of the plurality of imaging devices in a moving-image shootingmode, the controlling of the recording operation in response to the useroperation includes deciding whether to start or stop moving-imagerecording based on an operational state of each of the plurality ofimaging devices.(25)

The control method according to any one of (21) through (24), wherein

the controlling of the recording operation of at least one of theplurality of imaging devices in response to the user operation includescontrolling the imaging device to stop moving-image recording withoutpresenting a confirmation display to a user regarding a result of therecording.(26)

The control method according to any one of (21) through (25), wherein

the identifiers includes a list of identifiers,

the event includes a user operation of selecting, while the list ofidentifiers is being displayed, an imaging device setting, and

the controlling an operation of each of the plurality of imaging devicesin response to the user operation includes setting each of the pluralityof imaging devices to the selected imaging device setting.

(27)

The control method according to any one of (21) through (26), furthercomprising:

in response to the user initiating a setting-change operation while thelist of identifiers is being displayed, displaying a list of imagingdevice settings as selection options, where the list of imaging devicesettings excludes imaging device settings that are not shared in commonby each of the plurality of imaging devices,wherein the imaging device setting selected by the user operation isselected from the displayed list of imaging device settings.(28)

The control method according to any one of (21) through (27),

wherein the selected image device setting is one of a moving-imageshooting mode and a still image shooting mode.

(29)

The control method according to any one of (21) through (28), furthercomprising: changing the display of corresponding identifier to indicatea status change in at least one of the plurality of imaging devices.

(30)

The control method according to any one of (21) through (29), wherein

the status change in the at least one of the plurality of imagingdevices includes a change in a communication state of the at least oneof the plurality of imaging devices.

(31)

The control method according to any one of (21) through (30), wherein

the change in the communication state of the at least one of theplurality of imaging devices includes a change in a presence or absenceof a communication connection with the at least one of the plurality ofimaging devices.

(32)

The control method according to any one of (21) through (31), wherein

the status change in the at least one of the plurality of imagingdevices includes an occurrence of a malfunction in the at least one ofthe plurality of imaging devices.

(33)

The control method according to any one of (21) through (32), wherein

the malfunction includes an ongoing malfunction, and

the control method further includes displaying an object indicating theongoing malfunction.

(34)

The control method according to any one of (21) through (33), furthercomprising:

displaying the object indicating the ongoing malfunction in associationwith the identifier corresponding to the at least one of the pluralityof imaging devices experiencing the ongoing malfunction.

(35)

The control method according to any one of (21) through (34), wherein

the malfunction includes an isolated malfunction and

the control method further includes displaying an object which indicatesthe isolated malfunction, and which disappears after a designated timeelapses.

(36)

The control method according to any one of (21) through (35),

wherein each of the identifiers includes an image for the correspondingimaging device and an object indicating a correspondence relationshipbetween the image and the corresponding imaging device.

(37)

The control method according to any one of (21) through (36),

wherein, for each of the plurality of imaging devices, the identifiersinclude at least one of: an image corresponding to the imaging device, aname of the imaging device, a symbol corresponding to the imagingdevice, and a number corresponding to the imaging device.(38)

The control method according to any one of (21) through (37),

wherein for each of the plurality of imaging devices, the identifiersinclude an image captured by the imaging device and wirelesslycommunicated by the imaging device.

(39)

The control method according to any one of (21) through (38), furthercomprising:

switching between displaying the identifiers simultaneously anddisplaying an image corresponding to a given one of the plurality ofimaging devices individually.

(40)

The control method according to any one of (21) through (39), furthercomprising:

while displaying the image corresponding to the given one of theplurality of imaging devices individually, controlling an operation ofthe given one of the plurality of imaging devices based on a useroperation and not controlling an operation of the other ones of theplurality of imaging devices based on the user operation.(41)

The control method according to any one of (21) through (40), furthercomprising:

while displaying the image corresponding to the given one of theplurality of imaging devices individually, changing the display toindicate a status change in one of the plurality of imaging devicesother than the given one of the plurality of imaging devices.(42)

A control device comprising:

a communication unit that wirelessly communicates with each of aplurality of imaging devices; and

a controller that displays a list of identifiers correspondingrespectively to the plurality of imaging devices, on the basis of thecommunication.

(43)

A non-transitory computer readable medium having program code storedthereon that is configured to, when executed by a computing device,cause the computing device to:

switch between a multiple-unit control mode and a single-unit controlmode, when in the multiple-unit control mode:

display identifiers corresponding respectively to a plurality of imagingdevices, and in response to a given user input, control a givenoperation of each of the plurality of imaging device via wirelesscommunication connections; and when in the single-unit control mode:display an identifier corresponding to a selected one of the pluralityof imaging devices, andin response to the given user input, control the given operation of theselected one of the plurality of imaging devices and not the others ofthe plurality of imaging devices.(44)

The non-transitory computer readable medium of (43), wherein

the given user input is a selection of an image recording controlbutton, and

the given operation is an image recording operation.

(45)

The non-transitory computer readable medium of any one of (43) through(44), wherein

the given user input is a selection of an imaging device setting, and

the given operation is setting the respective imaging device to theselected imaging device setting.

(46)

The non-transitory computer readable medium of any one of (43) through(45), wherein

wherein, for each of the plurality of imaging devices, the identifiersinclude at least one of: an image corresponding to the imaging device, aname of the imaging device, a symbol corresponding to the imagingdevice, and a number corresponding to the imaging device.(47)

The non-transitory computer readable medium of any one of (43) through(46), wherein the program code is configured to cause the computingdevice to switch from the multiple-unit control mode to the single-unitcontrol mode in response to a user selection of one of the displayedidentifiers.

(48)

The non-transitory computer readable medium of any one of (43) through(47), wherein the program code is configured to cause the computingdevice to establish the wireless communication connections with theplurality of imaging devices.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   100 control device-   102 communication unit-   104 controller-   106 storage-   108 display-   110 operation detector-   200 imaging device-   202 operation detector-   204 controller-   206 storage-   208 communication unit-   210 imaging unit

The invention claimed is:
 1. A non-transitory computer-readable mediumhaving program code stored thereon that is configured to, when executedby a computing device, cause the computing device to perform a set ofoperations comprising: controlling a display device to display aplurality of identifiers that correspond to a plurality of imagingdevices with a one-to-one correspondence; controlling the display deviceto display one or more operational instructions in response to a displayinstruction to display the one or more operational instructions whilethe plurality of identifiers are displayed by the display device, theone or more operational instructions are shared in common and equallyapplicable to all of the plurality of imaging devices; receiving a useroperation that selects one operational instruction from the one or moreoperational instructions while the one or more operational instructionsare displayed by the display device; and controlling a communicationinterface to transmit the one operational instruction that is selectedto the plurality of imaging devices, wherein the one operationalinstruction that is selected is an instruction that instructs theplurality of imaging devices to set the plurality of imaging devices toone image shooting mode from a plurality of image shooting modes.
 2. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 1, whereinthe set of operations further includes controlling the communicationinterface to transmit the one operational instruction to the pluralityof imaging devices in response to receiving a second user operation. 3.The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 1,wherein the one operational instruction that is selected is one of amoving-image shooting mode setting instruction or a still image shootingmode setting instruction.
 4. The non-transitory computer-readable mediumaccording to claim 1, wherein the one operational instruction that isselected is a communication setting selected from a plurality ofcommunication settings.
 5. The non-transitory computer-readable mediumaccording to claim 1, wherein the one operational instruction that isselected is an image recording instruction that instructs the pluralityof imaging devices to initiate image recording, and wherein the imagerecording instruction instructs each of the plurality of imaging devicesto initiate still image shooting when the one image shooting mode is astill image shooting mode.
 6. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium according to claim 1, wherein controlling the display device todisplay the plurality of identifiers that correspond to the plurality ofimaging devices further includes controlling the display device todisplay images associated with the plurality of identifiers thatcorrespond to the plurality of imaging devices in a multi-view screen.7. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 6,wherein the images are live streams from the plurality of imagingdevices.
 8. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according toclaim 1, wherein controlling the display device to display the pluralityof identifiers that correspond to the plurality of imaging devicesfurther includes controlling the display device to display one imageassociated with one of the plurality of identifiers that corresponds toone of the plurality of imaging devices in a single-view screen.
 9. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 8, whereinthe image is a live stream from the one of the plurality of imagingdevices.
 10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according toclaim 1, wherein the one operational instruction that is selected is animage recording instruction that instructs the plurality of imagingdevices to initiate image recording, and wherein the image recordinginstruction instructs each of the plurality of imaging devices toinitiate moving-image shooting when the one image shooting mode is amoving-image shooting mode.
 11. A computing device comprising: a displaydevice; a communication interface; a memory; and an electronic processorcommunicatively coupled to the memory and the communication interface,the electronic processor configured to control the display device todisplay a plurality of identifiers that correspond to a plurality ofimaging devices with a one-to-one correspondence, control the displaydevice to display one or more operational instructions in response to adisplay instruction to display the one or more operational instructionswhile the plurality of identifiers are displayed by the display device,the one or more operational instructions are shared in common andequally applicable to all of the plurality of imaging devices, receive auser operation that selects one operational instruction from the one ormore operational instructions while the one or more operationalinstructions are displayed by the display device, and control thecommunication interface to transmit the one operational instruction thatis selected to the plurality of imaging devices, wherein the oneoperational instruction that is selected is an instruction thatinstructs the plurality of imaging devices to set the plurality ofimaging devices to one image shooting mode from a plurality of imageshooting modes.
 12. The computing device according to claim 11, whereinthe electronic processor is further configured to control thecommunication interface to transmit the one operational instruction tothe plurality of imaging devices in response to receiving a second useroperation.
 13. The computing device according to claim 11, wherein theone operational instruction that is selected is one of a moving-imageshooting mode setting instruction or a still image shooting mode settinginstruction.
 14. The computing device according to claim 11, wherein theone operational instruction that is selected is a communication settingselected from a plurality of communication settings that are stored inthe memory.
 15. The computing device according to claim 11, wherein theone operational instruction that is selected is an image recordinginstruction that instructs the plurality of imaging devices to initiateimage recording, and wherein the image recording instruction instructseach of the plurality of imaging devices to initiate still imageshooting when the one image shooting mode is an still image shootingmode.
 16. The computing device according to claim 11, wherein the oneoperational instruction that is selected is an image recordinginstruction that instructs the plurality of imaging devices to initiateimage recording, and wherein the image recording instruction instructseach of the plurality of imaging devices to initiate moving-imageshooting when the one image shooting mode is a moving-image shootingmode.
 17. A system comprising: a display device; a plurality of imagingdevices; and a computing device including a communication interface, amemory, and an electronic processor communicatively coupled to thememory and the communication interface, the electronic processorconfigured to control the display device to display a plurality ofidentifiers that correspond to the plurality of imaging devices with aone-to-one correspondence, control the display device to display one ormore operational instructions in response to a display instruction todisplay the one or more operational instructions while the plurality ofidentifiers are displayed by the display device, the one or moreoperational instructions are shared in common and equally applicable toall of the plurality of imaging devices, receive a user operation thatselects one operational instruction from the one or more operationalinstructions while the one or more operational instructions aredisplayed by the display device, and control the communication interfaceto transmit the one operational instruction that is selected to theplurality of imaging devices based on the user operation, wherein theone operational instruction that is selected is an instruction thatinstructs the plurality of imaging devices to set the plurality ofimaging devices to one image shooting mode from a plurality of imageshooting modes.
 18. The system according to claim 17, wherein theelectronic processor is further configured to control the communicationinterface to transmit the one operational instruction to the pluralityof imaging devices in response to receiving a second user operation. 19.The system according to claim 17, wherein the one operationalinstruction that is selected is an image recording instruction thatinstructs the plurality of imaging devices to initiate image recording,and wherein the image recording instruction instructs each of theplurality of imaging devices to initiate still image shooting when theone image shooting mode is an still image shooting mode.
 20. The systemaccording to claim 17, wherein the one operational instruction that isselected is an image recording instruction that instructs the pluralityof imaging devices to initiate image recording, and wherein the imagerecording instruction instructs each of the plurality of imaging devicesto initiate moving-image shooting when the one image shooting mode is amoving-image shooting mode.